Once your children start school, it’s always awkward when they ask you a question that you don’t know the answer too. Why is the sky blue? How do aeroplanes stay up? Are your fingertips already typing the questions into Google Search? Researchers for the Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair interviewed 2,000 parents of children aged between five and 16 to see whether their children's questions left them red-faced.

Frustration
Two-thirds of the parents interviewed said they struggled when their children asked them science questions and a quarter felt frustrated. One in three parents said they were quizzed by their children once a day with questions which left them feeling embarrassed because they didn’t know the answer. More than a quarter of parents said their offspring knew more about maths and science than they did.

Finding the answers
One third of parents admitted to actively researching the answers to their children’s enquiries, whilst 16% told their children to ask their partner if they thought they couldn't answer the questions asked. A fifth of parents either made up the answer or pretended that nobody knew!

Professor Brian Cox, spokesman for the fair said: "With more and more youngsters getting stuck into science and maths both in and out of school, it's no wonder they are constantly questioning the world around them.

"Inquisitive minds are fantastic but clever questions can leave parents in a tricky situation if they don't have the answers.”

"The best thing parents can do is work with their children to find the answers. Not only can it be fun, but you'll both learn something new along the way."

Back to school
One in five parents wished they had taken more of an interest in maths and science at school, with 10% of mothers saying their lack of knowledge stemmed from poor support and encouragement for girls in the subjects when they were at school.

Last Modified: 19/01/2012